As I sit at home on my week off work, finally tightening all the bolts on my recent Marin Palisades Trail project, a tonne of other projects are scattered orderley around me. My thoughts go from one to the other as I try and decide which should be next. The bike I have mocked together for the following photos, is one that I have had in mind for many years.

A few years back I decided to start gathering parts for what was my ultimate bike in my mind between 1997 and 2000. I remember that times were quite hard in those days, as my job didn't pay quite enough and my car seemed to take the majority of whatever cash was spare. I was also looking at moving out of home, and consequently bikes were a kind of 'make do', and only improve if it breaks hobby. Some of the parts from this project are actually from that time, and although I was short on funding, 0% interest at Leisure Lakes made things slightly easier back then. The other parts have been tracked down and collected with a very clear vision of that dream bike from 1997-2000. I always loved the Ti Marins and the Ultimate from 1994 was simply amazing, but times were moving fast in the sport, and 5 year old kit was simply history. So, in the spirit of the original Ultimate from 1994 using all the best parts available, here was my interpretation of the Ultimate Marin, but from the late 90's.

In the style of all my projects so far, this a collection of parts slowly evolving into the original concept. Most of the parts were carefully studied and tested by myself for their quality, their capability, and therefore they became a selected choice, rather than what looked pretty or cost the most. In fact, the Cook Bros. cranks were bought brand new from Leisure Lakes in 1997 with Middleburn rings, and I only retired them from weekly thrashings, just a year or so ago. So, you could say that this build started then, and has slowly evolved around the cranks over all these rigorous years!

Who says a Marin ain't cool?

Parts still required are a King threadless no-logo headset in Black, and another 9 speed SLT99 Rohloff chain. The rest of the parts are lingering around the spare room. They are XTR M953 cassette, Latex tubes, Magura Raceline rear brake (that will receive a lot of detail work to match the Hope lever), and NOS Onza Ti pedals in Black. The decals have been designed and are sat awaiting the order to print.

I will update as I go along, but here is a list of eventual build spec.

Thank you all for the kind comments. She actually looks better in the flesh! The camera doesn't do it justice. I put it out in the garden next to its Titanium cousin and although similar in so many ways, the '99 looks much more aggresive and purposeful. I guess it's because evrything is Black and Grey on this build, whereas its brother is Silver and shiny.

It was made by ti sports alongside a certain Titanium framed GT and Kona. It was made in smaller numbers and is often overlooked when compared with its relatives. The dropouts are unmistakeably Ti sports work, although these are stamped with Marin on the drive side and USA on the non-drive side.

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